James Hogg and the Populists

1. James Hogg and the Populists Unit 10

2. POPULISM- • Nation wide movement of rural citizens who had not benefited from the modern lifestyle made by the growth of industry. James Hogg and the Populists

3. James Hogg- • Native born Texan who would later become elected governor. • Started the Texas Railroad Commission • Supporters included: farmers, ranchers and small business owners • Supported law enforcement and fought against crime. James Hogg and the Populists

4. The Call for Reform • Texas economy was determined by industry and big business. • The wealthy found that they could manipulate the laws because they had money. • This angered many average Texans (farmers, etc) • So, many Texans called for reform. James Hogg and the Populists

5. Railroad Abuses • Railroads were the way to transport goods and products for Texans. • Railroad companies were unfair in their practices. • Would sell government land for higher prices • Charged higher prices for shorter hauls, than longer hauls • Would let their political friends ride for free • Gave rebates to preferred customers and charged others full price • In addition, some companies banded together to control prices James Hogg and the Populists

6. Texans that were for reform thought that since the government had given the RR companies more than 30 million acres, that the abuses could be stopped. • The Texans looked to James S. Hogg James Hogg and the Populists

7. Hogg’s Fight for Reform • His first fight was against the Texas Traffic Association. • Because the TTA controlled the competition, they could set high prices for its services • Hogg pushed for a state antitrust law which would make monopolies illegal. James Hogg and the Populists

8. The Railroad Commission • James Hogg becomes governor of Texas. • Because of popularity with ordinary citizens, he wins the election for governor in 1890. • He formed the Texas Railroad Commission • Formed to oversee all railroad operations in the state. • The commission put an end to rate fixing, unreasonable shipping costs and other unfair practices. • He also limited the debt a city could have, lengthened the school year, increased education funding; these became known as the “Hogg Laws.” James Hogg and the Populists

9. Hogg and the Populists • Although many urban businesses were thriving, farmers were falling into economic hardship. • This lead to the formation of the Farmer’s Alliance, which spread quickly throughout the south. • Farmers, ranchers, and farm laborers started their own political party called the “Populist Party” • Demanded government regulation businesses; public ownership of railroads, telephone and telegraph; and the elimination of the national banking system James Hogg and the Populists

10. The Populists never did control the state government • After 1896 the movement faded • This was large in part to the strongly growing Democratic party. • The economy also improved, easing some of the farmer’s worries about money • And they felt that the government was on its way to becoming what they had planned James Hogg and the Populists

11. Populism After Hogg • In 1895 a new Texas governor took over. • Charles A. Culberson kept Hogg’s goals alive. • He supported his reform agenda • He gave more power to the Railroad Commission • Enforced the antitrust laws • Supported the reform of the courts • Improved educational opportunities for African Americans and Mexican Americans *However by the end of his term, populism faded and the Populist movement was over. James Hogg and the Populists